A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | CH | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Epex | |
|---|---|
_221022.jpg) Epex in October 2022 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Seoul, South Korea |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2021–present |
| Labels | C9 |
| Members |
|
| Website | c9ent.co.kr/EPEX |
Epex (Korean: 이펙스; RR: Ipekseu; stylized in all caps) is a South Korean boy band formed and managed by C9 Entertainment. The group consists of eight members: Wish, Keum, Mu, A-Min, Baekseung, Ayden, Yewang, and Jeff. They debuted on June 8, 2021, with their first extended play (EP) Bipolar Pt.1: Prelude of Anxiety.
Name
The group's name, Epex, which stands for "Eight Apex". The meaning of the group is said to be when the gathering of eight youths reaches eight different apexes.[1]
History
 | This section needs to be updated. (March 2024) |
Pre-debut activities
Keum is a former contestant of Mnet's Produce X 101. As a 2-year old trainee representing C9 Entertainment, he was eliminated in the final episode and was ranked 17th place.[2]
2021: Introduction, debut and Bipolar series
On March 1, 2021, C9 Entertainment announced would introduced member of their upcoming boy group under tentative name C9Rookies.[3][4] The group's members were revealed individually starting on March 2 (in order: Keum, Baekseung, A-Min, MU, Yewang, Jeff, Wish and Ayden).[5][6][7][8][9] On April 1, the group's logo and official name were revealed.[1] A teaser titled "Prelude of Anxiety" was released on May 7. Their debut EP, Bipolar Pt.1: Prelude of Anxiety and its lead single "Lock Down", was released on June 8.[10]
On September 24, 2021, a teaser titled "Prelude of Love" was released on the group's SNS accounts. Their second EP, Bipolar Pt.2: Prelude of Love and its lead single "Do 4 Me" was released on October 26.[11]
2022–present: Prelude of Anxiety and Love series
On March 15, 2022, a teaser titled "21st Century Boys" was released on the group's SNS accounts. Their third EP, Prelude of Anxiety Chapter 1. '21st Century Boys' and its lead single "Anthem of Teen Spirit" was released on April 11.[12]
On October 26, they released their fourth EP Prelude of Love Chapter 1. 'Puppy Love' , a sequel of their 2021 EP Bipolar Pt.2: Prelude of Love, alongside the lead single "Hymn To Love".[13][14] To commemorate of the EP release, they held an online showcase in the same day.[15] The group also announced their first international concert tour, Eight Apex, starting from Seoul on November 19 & 20, following Osaka, Tokyo, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur and more cities would be announced later.[16][17]
On March 27, 2023, the group release a logo animation for their upcoming fifth EP Prelude of Love Chapter 2. 'Growing Pains set to be released in April.[18][19]Later that day, the timetable was released and confirmed that their fifth EP would be released on April 26.[20][21]The EP detail were revealed which consists of four-track including the lead single "Sunshower".[22]On April 26, the group held a showcase at Shinhan Play Square Live Hall in Mapo-gu, Seoul to commemorating the release of their fifth EP.[23]Following the release of Prelude of Love Chapter 2. 'Growing Pains, the group embarked on Sunshower fancon tour held in June across four cities in Asia.[24][25]
On September 4, 2023, the group announced schedule to be release their sixth EP Prelude of Anxiety Chapter 2. 'Can We Surrender?' on October 4.[26]Pre-orders for the EP surpassed 260,000 copies breaks their own reocrd.[27]The sixth EP officially released on October 4 with contains of four track including the lead single "Full Metal Jacket" and became the final chapter of Prelude of Anxiety series.[28][29]
On November 17, the group announced to hold their second concert So We Are Not Anxious in December 16 & 17 at Seoul's Blue Square Mastercard Hall.[30]
In December, Epex collaboration with Japanese boy group Fantastics for the song "Peppermint Yum".[31]
In January 2024, Epex was announced to appearance on the Japanese variety show K-Pop House consecutive for two weeks.[32]Later that, the group confirmed to performance "Peppermint Yum" in Japanese music program CDTV Live! Live! on January 22.[33]
On February 26, 2024, the pre-release song "Graduation Day" for their upcoming first full-lengths album was released.[34][35]
Members
Adapted from their official website.[36]
- Wish (위시)
- Keum (금동현)
- MU (뮤)
- A-Min (아민)
- Baekseung (백승)
- Ayden (에이든)
- Yewang (예왕)
- Jeff (제프)
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [37] | |||
| Youth Chapter 1: Youth Days |
Track listing
|
1 |
|
Extended plays
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [37] |
JPN [39] | |||
| Bipolar Pt.1: Prelude of Anxiety |
Track listing
|
10 | 26 | |
| Bipolar Pt.2: Prelude of Love |
Track listing
|
6 | — |
|
| Prelude of Anxiety Chapter 1. '21st Century Boys' |
Track listing
|
5 | — |
|
| Prelude of Love Chapter 1. 'Puppy Love' |
Track listing
|
4 | — |
|
| Prelude of Love Chapter 2. 'Growing Pains' |
Track listing
|
6 | 24 | |
| Prelude of Anxiety Chapter 2. 'Can We Surrender?' |
Track listing
|
3 | — |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart position | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR Down. [48] | |||
| "Lock Down" | 2021 | — | Bipolar Pt.1: Prelude of Anxiety |
| "Do 4 Me" | — | Bipolar Pt.2: Prelude of Love | |
| "Anthem of Teen Spirit" (학원歌) | 2022 | — | Prelude of Anxiety Chapter 1. '21st Century Boys' |
| "Hymn to Love" (사랑歌) | 127 | Prelude of Love Chapter 1. 'Puppy Love' | |
| "Sunshower" (여우가 시집가는 날) | 2023 | 96 | Prelude of Love Chapter 2. 'Growing Pains' |
| "Full Metal Jacket" | 150 | Prelude of Anxiety Chapter 2. 'Can We Surrender?' | |
| "Youth2Youth" | 2024 | 39 | Youth Chapter 1: Youth Days |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. | |||
Other charted songs
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR Down. [48] | |||
| "First Love's Law" (첫사랑의 법칙) | 2022 | 158 | Prelude of Love Chapter 1. 'Puppy Love' |
| "Love Bomb" (고백 Bomb) | 160 | ||
| "The Vow" (작은 언약식) | 162 | ||
| "My Darling" (사랑하는 내 님아) | 2023 | 145 | Prelude of Love Chapter 2. 'Growing Pains' |
| "Goodbye, My First Love" (안녕, 나의 첫사랑) | 146 | ||
| "Skyline" (꿈의 능선) | 149 | ||
| "Killshot" | 2024 | 68 | Youth Chapter 1: Youth Days |
| "Breathe in Love" | 65 | ||
| "Painkiller" | 70 | ||
| "Dominate" | 71 | ||
| "Lay Up" | 72 | ||
| "My Secret" (말할 수 있는 비밀) | 69 | ||
| "Graduation Day" (졸업식) | 75 |
Videography
Music videos
| Title | Year | Director(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Lock Down" | 2021 | Kim Woo-je (ETUI Collective) |
[49] |
| "Do 4 Me" | [50] | ||
| "Anthem of Teen Spirit" | 2022 | [51] | |
| "Hymn to Love" | [52] | ||
| "Sunshower" | 2023 | [53] | |
| "Full Metal Jacket" | [54] |
Concerts and tours
Headlining tours
Fancon
- Sunshower (2023)[57]
Filmography
Television shows
| Year | Title | Network | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Welcome 2 House | Mnet | Main | Reality show (with TO1) | [58] |
Awards and nominations
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia Artist Awards | 2021 | Male Idol Group Popularity Award | Epex | Nominated | [59] |
| Gaon Chart Music Awards | 2022 | New Artist of the Year – Physical | Bipolar Pt.2: Prelude of Love | Nominated | [60] |
| Golden Disc Awards | 2022 | Rookie Artist of the Year | Epex | Nominated | [61] |
| Hallyu Influencer Grand Prize Awards[A] | 2022 | The Male Idol in the Rise | Won | [62] | |
| Hanteo Music Awards | 2021 | Rookie Award – Male Group | Won | [63] | |
| 2022 | Emerging Artist Award | Won | [64][unreliable source?] | ||
| K Global Heart Dream Awards | 2023 | K Global Next Leader Award | Won | [65] | |
| Korea Culture Entertainment Awards | 2021 | Best New Male Artist | Won | [66] | |
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | 2021 | Best New Male Artist | Nominated | [67] | |
| Artist of the Year | Longlisted | ||||
| Album of the Year | Bipolar Pt.1: Prelude of Anxiety | Longlisted | |||
| Seoul Music Awards | 2022 | Rookie of the Year | Epex | Won | [68] |
| Popularity Award | Nominated | [69] | |||